Ganglioside GM1 Elevation in DBA/2 Mouse Embryos

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Abstract
The composition of whole embryo gangliosides at embryonic day E-12 was compared among the C57BL/6 (B6) DBA/2 (D2), and C3H mouse strains. N-acetylneuraminic acid was the predominant sialic acid species in the E-12 embryos. N-glycolyneuraminic acid was either undetectable or present in only trace amounts. Whole embryo ganglionic sialic concentration was significantly lower in D2 embros than in B6 or C3H embryos. GM3 and GD3 were the most abundant ganglioside species in each strain and comprised approximately 75% of the total distribution. The D2 embryos expressed an elevation of GD1a and a reduction of GQ1b relative to B6 and C3H. Also, the level of GM1 was significantly higher in the D2 embryos than in the B6 or C3H embryos. Since a reduction of .beta.-galactosidase activity and an elevation of GM1 concentration in brain were previously reported in postnatal DBA mice, our results sugget that the elevated GM1 in D2 embryos may result from a reduced activity of GM1 .beta.-galactosidase.